Death of Edmund Halley...

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1742 Near the back of the issue under the heading: "A List of Deaths for the Year 1745" is a short & inconspicuous entry--although historically significant--reading: "Dr. Edmund Halley, Astronomy Professor to his Majesty, aged 82." This is the famed Edmund Halley for whom Halley's comet is named, and who was the first man to calculate the orbit of comets.

Other items in this issue include: "A Speech for Repealing the Test Act" "Abstract of the Bill for Opening a Trade to & from Persia" "Concerning a Trade thro' Russia to Persia" "Explanation of a Roman Altar" "Conduct of the War Vindicated" and"The Vanity of Fame."

There is much reporting on events in Parliament under the guise of: "Proceedings & Debates in the Senate of Lilliput" as direct reporting on Parliamentary events was prohibited. Near the back is a section headed: "Historical Chronicle" with news from England and other parts of Europe. Included also is a report of events in the West Indies (see photos).

Complete in 56 pages with full title/index page which contains an engraving of St. John's Gate. Measures about 5 by 8 1/4 inches, nice condition.
There are no maps or plates called for in this issue.

A very nice pre-Revolutionary War magazine from the "mother country" with a wide range of varied content including news of the day, political reports, literary items, and other unusual tidbits. This was the first periodical to use the word "magazine" in its title, having begun in 1731 and lasting until 1907.